Make a list of at least three units in your country with the name of a contact person for each unit. It is of vital importance to keep this list updated.

Advertise the exchange programme in your national journal and websites and link to the EfCCNa web site

The EfCCNa representative will play the intermediary role between the visiting nurse and the hospital, ensuring that all issues are clarified

If a nursing colleague wishes to participate in the programme ask her whether she is a member of her national association and obtain all necessary personal details and relevant information.

Then approach the chosen unit and the contact person and provide all information

Forward the aims and expectations of the visiting nurse to the contact person for discussion

Ensure that accomodation in the hospital or nearby the hospital has been identified including the costs. The possibility of residental lodging in the host's home should be explored in order to reduce costs.

Within two month after being approached by the visiting nurse her aims and objectives should be agreed on by all key persons

Six weeks after the contact has been made with the hosting hospital check with the visiting nurse and the contact person at the unit that the programme has been agreed:

If yes - ask for the time table and send it two weeks before the visit to the participating nurse; remind her to send in the evaluation form after her stay

If no - find out why

Keep track on the evaluation form which should be returned in two weeks time

In all cases whether the exchange programme has been completed or not the EfCCNa representative should send a report to the person in charge of the exchange programme.

Hosting a colleague from another country in a formal or an informal way is always a challenge. It requires careful planning and timetabling. However the experience can be rewarding for both the host and the visitor. Moreover it may pave the way for long-term collaboration and partnerships. The hosting hospital should facilitate and support the interprofessional exchange of knowledge and ideas in any possible way.

The task of the hosting unit will be:

The contact person will agree to mentor and supervise the visiting nurse during the time spent in the host unit.

To contribute jointly with the visiting nurse to the preparation of a one week programme. It is advised to vary the programme. A mix of clinical practice, research and innovative activities, educational sessions and social activities is suggested.

Within two months of being approached by the visiting nurse, the aims and objectives should be finalised and agreed between all key people.

Agree to prepare a short orientation programme of the unit, hospital and city.

Enable the visitor to participate in a range of clinical activities but not to undertake direct patient contact.

To assist the nurse in organising their stay by offering lodging facility in the hospital or in a nearby hotel, or by encouraging nurses of the hospital to host the visiting nurse.

Organising an exchange visit may take at least 2 to 4 months of preparation.

Post all relevant information to the visiting nurse at least 4 weeks prior to arrival.

Encourage the visiting nurse to give a presentation about critical care nursing in their country or on subjects related to the nurse’s speciality.

Follow up on the evaluation form, and collect it

Choose a destination from the list of hospitals or maybe you have got a choice of your own

Make contact with the EfCCNa representative of your country. Your representative will arrange a contact with the country of your choice and establish a connection between the hospital and you

Define your personal aims, objectives and expectations of this hospitation

Prepare a programme for one week together with your contact person in the hospital

A programme takes time to be prepared; it is advised to vary from a mix of clinical practice, a tour through the hospital, participation in educational sessions and social activites, also.

If possible prepare a presentation about critical care nursing in your own country.

After the visit we would like to have your feed back; so we ask you to fill in the evaluation form and send it back to the person in charge of the exchange programme (Adriano Friganovic)

As we would like to attract many European critical care nurses to participate in the programme we ask you to share your experience.

Thus, please send us a short written report (300-500 words) for publication on the EfCCNa web site.

Aalborg Hospital is a University-Hospital about 800 beds and 4 different intensive care units.

A 8 bed general unit, a 9 bed unit for patients with heart and thoracal diseases, a 7 bed unit with neurosurgical -and traumapatients and a 4 bed unit for children in intensive care.

At the hospital there are a lot of educational activities. There is a school for nursing-training and there are students from medical school. There is a special training for nurses at intensive units. The education is both practical and theoretic.